Every library, sooner or later, will be switching to ISBN13. This page will try to answer your questions about how, what when and why.

WHAT is ISBN13?
The former International Standard Book Number (ISBN) assigns ten digits, a unique number, to every book, title or edition. Because the demand for unique numbers is about to exceed the maximum limits of original 10-digits, the switch to an expanded 13-digit ISBN (ISBN13) is underway.

WHEN is this transition taking place?
It started January, 2007. At the moment publishers are still assigning ISBN13s that have a corresponding ISBN10. But that won't last much longer. Libraries should plan to convert all their ISBN10s to ISBN13s before they add materials that have non-convertible ISBN13s. (Convertible ISBN13s start with "978" while non-convertibles start with "979".)

How will my library convert ALL our materials from ISBN10 to ISBN13?
Sounds daunting doesn't it? For our PC Card Catalog (v3.30 up) and CONCEPT I users, we have a very nice solution...and it is free! Download and run the ISBNconverter program.

After installation, press the [Convert to ISBN13] button. In just a few moments every item in the collection having an ISBN10 will be replaced with an ISBN13. It couldn't be easier!

NOTE: The auto-convert feature will not work on PC Card Catalog version 3.20 and prior. However, the Single ISBN Conversion feature will work for ANY software.

Download ISBNconverter

ISBNconverter Features

Single ISBN conversion
       ISBN10-->ISBN13
       ISBN13-->ISBN10
Useful in any automation software. Perfect for cut-and-paste data insertions.

One-button conversion of PC Card Catalog and CONCEPT I databases to ISBN13 (or back to ISBN10 if you need to.)

Any non-convertible ISBN13s are unaffected.

ISBNconverter is free and may be freely distributed.

Installing ISBNconverter:
1. Download ISBNconverter.

2. Run the installation program.

3. To start the program, double-click on the Desktop icon for ISBNconverter.